/m/cuban_baseball

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Regardless, don't think you'll see them come to US directly, for a few reasons (US politics among them). Wonder though if you'll see guys play in Mexico, defect, and then come to the US in any kind of numbers...

"Professional sports were outlawed under Fidel Castro in 1961, two years after the Cuban Revolution.

Granma also announced raises at home for athletes, including bonuses for individual achievements and collective awards for team success.

Baseball players who appear in 70 percent of league games will be awarded $208. League leaders in hitting and other categories get an extra $41. The team that wins the title gets $2,700 to split.

Players in the National Baseball Series will earn $41 a month, and Olympic medalists around $63.

It's not clear what athletes were paid before, but monthly state salaries in Cuba average about $20 plus the social benefits provided to all islanders.

On top of that they'll get a monthly "stimulus" for international achievements, ranging from $26 for being on national squads to $104 for an Olympic gold medal.

Medalists will also continue collect lifetime monthly awards of $100 to $300.

The new rules do not appear to apply to athletes who left in the past, either through defection or other means, such as champion hurdler Dayron Robles who left for Europe after being released from his commitment in Cuba."

The excerpt leaves out what seems to be a crucial point. Any athelete who plays abroad, is still expected to fulfill their obligations at home, which includes participating in domestic leagues and seasons (as well as international competitions)

The excerpt leaves out what seems to be a crucial point. Any athelete who plays abroad, is still expected to fulfill their obligations at home, which includes participating in domestic leagues and seasons (as well as international competitions)

Interesting. So this would msotly be guys playing in the Dominicain winter league and things like that?

In 2002, Cuba allowed three players to go play in Japan. Of the three, only Omar Linares made it to the highest rung of NPB, and he was 34 at the time with failing knees, so he never made much of an impact. He played 132 games in three seasons with the Chunichi Dragons, putting up a line of .246/.327/.387 with 11 home runs.

Any athelete who plays abroad, is still expected to fulfill their obligations at home, which includes participating in domestic leagues and seasons (as well as international competitions)

Or else what? They won't let them back in the country?

What this means is players who want to play in the US won't be risking their lives leaving the country. And those with the skill set to play in the majors will probably be able to buy their way out of any Cuban commitments.

It won't have any direct effect on MLB due to the continued embargo (and even the Blue Jays, for example, would be unable to get a Cuban simply because they still get a large chunk of American money and they'd have to only use the Cubans at home even if they could), but it could make it easier for defections (i.e. a Cuban goes to play in the Mexican League, but then either refuses to go back or somehow shows up in San Diego or Texas applying for asylum).

It won't have any direct effect on MLB due to the continued embargo (and even the Blue Jays, for example, would be unable to get a Cuban simply because they still get a large chunk of American money and they'd have to only use the Cubans at home even if they could),

Why wouldn't a Cuban be allowed to play in the US currently, without defecting?

Why wouldn't a Cuban be allowed to play in the US currently, without defecting?

It has to do, I believe, with the fact that in essence eventually the money the player would be paid would find it's way back to Cuba. Or something like that. I don't understand complicated things involved economic embargos.